Question the Coach – Has the Economy Hurt your Team?

This week, High School Cover 2 asked our panel of coaches a question that particularly interests us given the weak economic climate this year. Our coaches responses, as shown below, varied. It seems that there is no “one-size fits all” way to handle school budgets. The question we posed was:

Has the current economic downturn had any consequences at your school?

Their responses follow:

Meridian High School Coach Bob Ames

“No and yes. Our families are finding ways to pony up for “pay to play” and there are folks out there that have helped those families in need. Budgets are at best static, but on the decline and not keeping up with prices for everything from equipment, transportation and even paper for scouting reports is monitored.”

Chelan High School Coach Darren Talley

No, not yet. Our superintendent Jim Busey did a wonderful job building up a heathy reserve fund for our district, so no harsh measures have been needed yet.”

Willipa Valley High School Coach Rob Freise

“It has affected our scheduling of non-league games and trying to limit travel…so, we are playing local schools two times.”

Mariner High School Coach John Ondriezek

“Yes, they dropped 7th grade football at the middle schools & our football budget was cut.”

Garfield High School Coach Anthony Allen

“No would be my answer to the current economic downturn effecting our program. Actually we have more kids out participating in football than at any point in at least the last ten years,(my fifth) our total number being at 65, now trying to suit up every one is another issue. We also have a sophomore team no new issues same old issues quality football gear, practice gear stuff like that.”

Bellingham High School Coach Doug Trainor

“Yes, it has had consequencesÃ¢â‚¬Â¦pay for play at our school. I suspect that our numbers are down due in some part to that. Also, our fundraisers have generated much lower numbers.”

Lummi High School Coach Jim Sandusky

“No change this year. We have a couple of separate funding sources and our budget is the same this year as last.”